Dr. Zeinab Mehsein is a third-year postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine. She is committed to building a strong postdoctoral community where every postdoc feels heard, supported, and connected through regular meetings, social events, and open communication. She also hopes to bridge the gap between postdoctoral scholars and the institution by actively advocating for the needs and concerns of the postdoc community. In sum, Dr. Mehsein's goal is to ensure that all postdocs have access to the tools, support, and confidence needed to successfully achieve their career goals. Dr. Mehsein is also a member of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) Postdoc Council (PDC) for 2026–2027; she is proud to represent the PDA and postdoctoral scholars at UAB on the national level.

A second-year postdoctoral scholar in the Divsion of Family and Community Medicine, Dr. Katie Ellison's vision for the PDA is to strengthen the association's role as both a resource hub and an advocacy body for postdocs. She aims to expand networking and mentoring opportunities, increase awareness of professional development resources, and ensure the voices of postdocs are well-represented in institutional decision-making. Dr. Ellison also hopes to foster stronger connections between postdoctoral scholars across UAB’s diverse schools and departments, building a sense of community that supports both career growth and personal well-being.

Dr. Sanchez-Castellanos is a third-year postdoctoral scholar in the Divsion of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine. As secretary, Dr. Sanchez-Castellanos aims to build a formal space for postdocs to share their concerns and help them solve their troubles. She hopes to promote better communication and networking between UAB postdocs, which will lead to a stronger and engaged community that will be life-changing.

Dr. Lauren Nassour-Caswell is a first-year postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Neurology. With an extensive background serving in UAB's Graduate Biomedical Student Outreach, Dr. Nassour-Caswell has many years of experience in leading research conferences such as the GBS research symposium and 2024 neuro-oncology program retreat for the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center.

A second-year postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Cell Developmental and Integrative Biology, Dr. Amit Chaudhary served as the PDA's Social Media and Communication Coordinator for the 2024-2025 term. He, thus, brings direct experience and a proven commitment to the role. Over the past year, Dr. Chaudhary has kept the postdoctoral community informed and engaged. His efforts, which he will continue in his role as Events Coordinator, focus on making information accessible, fostering open communication, and promoting a sense of belonging within the PDA.

Dr. Elizabeth Valles-Capetillo is a third-year postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Pyschology. Having served as an executive member this past year, Dr. Valles-Capetillo developed an understanding of the PDA’s mission as well as the importance of clear, engaging communication in strengthening the postdoctoral community. In this new role, she aims to create dynamic and accessible channels of communication that highlight postdoc achievements, promote upcoming events, and share valuable resources to support career and personal development. Her vision is to make communications not only informative, but also community-driven, amplifying the voices of postdocs and fostering a sense of connection across disciplines.